4th Circuit: 'Liking' A Political Facebook Page Is Protected Speech

RICHMOND, Va. - "Liking" a campaign page on Facebook, a social networking website, is akin to placing a political sign in one's front yard and falls under the protection of free speech, a Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel ruled Sept. 18 in a lawsuit filed by former employees of the Hampton, Va., Sheriff's Office who claim that they were denied reappointment after supporting the sheriff's electoral opponent (Bobby Bland, et al. v. B.J. Roberts, individually and in his capacity as Sheriff of the City of Hampton, Virginia, No. 12-1671, 4th Cir.; 2013 U.S. App. LEXIS 19268).